Pirès captivated by 'Zizou-mania': Zidane makes successful start with France

Zinédine Zidane has made a successful start as head coach of the France national team: three wins and a draw in four Nations League matches, and first place in the group standings with ten points. For Robert Pirès, encountered on the sidelines of his testimonial match Tuesday evening in Metz, the figures tell only part of the story.

“The ‘Zizou-mania’ exists, it’s there,” said the former Arsenal player, who played alongside Zidane in the national team. “We’re talking about one of the greatest players football has ever created. He proved himself as a coach because he won some trophies with Real Madrid and today, he’s our new manager.”

Pirès paid tribute to Didier Deschamps before highlighting the new dynamic brought by his successor. “By the way, we must not forget what Didier Deschamps did. It’s a new chapter with quite pleasant football, fantastic players. We have a coach who is more than great. The proof is, when you’re at Stade de France when the players’ names are announced, you notice that ‘Zizou’ is the one who gets the most applause.”

The former midfielder also emphasized the educational value of the Zidane project for the current players. “It’s also interesting for the players under his command to learn and progress,” he concluded.

France will have the opportunity to confirm their good form in their next two Nations League matches, against Italy on November 12 and then Turkey on November 15, with a place in the quarter-finals of the competition at stake.